Gazette photographer’s favorites of 2009

For a story on Iowa artists whose work has been commissioned for the new federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Liz Martin arranged to meet Fred Easker in his home studio in Cedar Rapids in January. His new puppy, Jackson the Action Whippet (think Jackson (Pollock) the Action Painter), is almost always scampering about the studio or perched in that chair while Easker paints. “I know my presence can be a distraction in some situations, much as I try to just be a respectful observer,” Martin said, “but it was tougher than I anticipated in such a silent space. When he works, Easker says it's like a meditation, so imagine attemtping that when a camera is clicking in the background.”

Notre Dame sophomore Kathleen Shircliff of Colorado Springs, CO cleans up after a group of students finished a day of installing drywall in a flood damaged home on J Ave NW in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, March 11, 2009. Twenty one students from the University of Notre Dame are spending their spring break in Cedar Rapids assisting in continuing flood recovery efforts. I was pretty much done shooting this assignment when I decided to peak my head into this last room and saw this wonderful chiascuro lighting on the worker. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

When Jim Slosiarek saw, through the viewfinder of his camera, Lori Gearhart of Edgewood giving her grandson Aidan Bailey, 5, a hug and a kiss he knew he had his photo. 'I think I only got two frames off before the moment was over.' 'This illustrates the love Lori has for her grandson and fit the story much better than a posed photo of the two of them together would have,' said Slosiarek. Photographed Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, in Edgewood. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

When I was sent to make a photo of the North Liberty Lions Club conducting eye screenings as part of the Iowa Kids Sight eye program Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 at the Montessori Children's Garden in North Liberty I knew I was in for a challenge. From previous experience I knew that the test was conducted with a modified Polaroid camera in a dark room. As I watched Steve Schrepker (left) take a photos of Brett White (right) and classmate Abigail McNeely (center) I got the idea to do a long exposure and try to catch the light of the flash from the test camera. It took several tries for everything to work out but I am very happy with the results. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)